NCPCR asks states to take up social auditing to ban child labour

New Delhi, Jul 16 (UNI) The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has directed state Governments and various export promotion councils to set up a self regulatory mechanism to curb the menace of child labour.

It has also asked them to initiate social auditing to make sure that no child is employed in any form of labour.

In a communication to the Union Textile Minister and the Chief Secretaries of the States, Chairman of the Commission Shanta Sinha has said "NCPCR has been deeply concerned about the growing incidence of child labour. Children are being employed by many informal and household sectors. Newer forms of child labour are being discovered everyday by media and social activists. Many children are recruited as bonded labour. Commission has taken cognizance of reports of children being trafficked and employed in BT cotton fields, zari and embroidery making and many other industries. In spite of the notification prohibiting employment of children in domestic shops and establishments, there are millions still being engaged as help in this sector".

The Commission has asked the export promotion councils to put in place self regulatory systems to check the child labour from supply to export stage of the sectors they are engaged in.

Besides, these directives have also gone to the Chief Secretaries of all States to strengthen enforcement of laws related to Child labour such as the Juvenile Justice Act, 2006, Bonded Labour Act, Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 and ensure that children are sent to regular full time schools.

In order to strengthen enforcement of the law, Commission has directed that the States should ensure through the District Collectors to put in place a Task Force to do Social Audit to make sure that there is no child labour in the processes and occupations as listed in the Schedule - Part A and B of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986. It has emphasised the inclusion of auditing residential complexes by Task Force team to ascertain engagement of domestic child labour.

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